Old Chapel (Millwood, Virginia) facts for kids
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Old Chapel
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Old Chapel, September 2012
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3 mi. N of Millwood off U.S. 340, Millwood, Virginia |
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| Area | 9.9 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1793 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002004 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 2, 1973 |
Old Chapel is a very old and important church building located near Millwood, Virginia. It is in Clarke County, Virginia. This chapel is special because it is the oldest Episcopal church building still used for services west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. In 2014, the area around the chapel became known as the Chapel Rural Historic District. This district includes Old Chapel and many other historic buildings.
Contents
History of Old Chapel
Early Beginnings of the Church
In the 1700s, this church was called Cunningham's Chapel. It was named after a nearby tavern. The tavern was located where two important old roads met. One road went west from Alexandria to Winchester, Virginia and the Ohio River Valley. This road later became Route 340. The other road went east and west from Burwell's mill in Millwood. This road is now Route 255.
The first church building was made of logs. It was approved by the Virginia government in 1738. This first church was built between 1740 and 1750. It was repaired and got a new roof in 1762. Sadly, this first church was destroyed during the American Revolutionary War.
Building the Current Chapel
The church building you see today was approved in 1790. It was finished around 1793. This chapel was the main church for Bishop William Meade. He was a very important leader in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Meade served as the priest here for 25 years. He helped build another church, Christ Church in Millwood, later on.
A special plaque inside Old Chapel says that Bishop Meade wanted to be buried here. However, he passed away in Richmond, Virginia. He was first buried in Hollywood Cemetery. Later, his remains were moved to the cemetery at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Historic Cemetery
There is also a historic cemetery at Old Chapel. The land for the cemetery was given by the Burwell family. Many important people are buried here. This includes Edmund Randolph, who was a founding father of the United States. He was also a governor of Virginia and the U.S. Attorney General.
Many members of the Burwell, Nelson, and Randolph families are also buried here. These families were some of the earliest and most important families in Virginia. The cemetery also has a memorial for soldiers who died in the American Civil War.
Related Churches in the Area
Wickliffe Church
In 1816, more people moved to the area. A new wooden chapel was built about ten miles away. This chapel was rebuilt in 1853 and became Wickliffe Church. It is also a historic site today.
Christ Church, Millwood
By 1826, Old Chapel was too small for all the people. So, in 1832, a new church called Christ Church, Millwood, was built. It is about three miles away from Old Chapel. This new church was closer to Bishop Meade's home. It was also near the home of the Burwell family, who had given the land.
In 1836, Clarke County officially became separate from Frederick County. The church parish stayed in Clarke County. Even after the new church was built, services were still held at Old Chapel. The church leaders decided to have at least two services there each year. Old Chapel was also used for services by the local African American community. Today, Old Chapel is still used for an Easter sunrise service and a service in September.
Christ Church Millwood was rebuilt in a Gothic style in 1892. It was rebuilt again in 1947 after a big fire. The old rectory (the priest's house) became the Parish Hall. The church leaders are still in charge of both Old Chapel and Christ Church. In 1912, another Gothic-style church was built near the Boyce railroad station. This building is now part of the Boyce Historic District. It is no longer used as a church.
Meade Memorial Church
In 1872, a new church called Meade Memorial Church was started in White Post, Virginia. This church was close to Bishop Meade's old home. It was finished in 1875. The church was closed for almost 30 years because there were not enough people attending. However, the area grew again, and the church reopened in 1996. It is still an active church today.
Architecture of Old Chapel
Old Chapel is a stone church with one story. It has a simple design with three sections on each side. The roof is covered with shingles and has a pointed top. Inside, the church is plain but beautiful. It has a carved wooden pulpit where the preacher stands. There is also a balcony that you can reach by a steep stairway. Inside, you will find a special plaque honoring Bishop Meade. There are also plaques for people who took care of the church after the Civil War.
Notable Burials at Old Chapel
- Colonel Nathaniel Burwell of Carter Hall (1750–1814)
- John Esten Cooke
- Ann Randolph Meade Page (1781–1838)
- Governor Edmund Randolph (1753–1813)
- The Enslaved
- Robert Cooke Goolrick (1948-2022, American writer)
